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Petaluma, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 8.38
Permit administrator: City police chief or designee
Service hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
Permit term: Up to two years, expires June 30th
Education requirement: 100+ hours approved massage school coursework
Enforcement: Public nuisance under Chapters 1.10-1.16

Summary

Petaluma requires every massage professional to hold either a CAMTC state certificate or a city-issued massage permit, and practicing without one is unlawful under Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 8.38. The police chief serves as permit administrator, background checks screen for specified Penal Code offenses, and massage services can only run between seven a.m. and ten p.m.

it is unlawful for any massage professional subject to the requirements of this chapter to provide massage services or practice massage within the city without a valid, unexpired and unrevoked massage permit issued by the permit administrator or a valid, unexpired and unrevoked CAMTC certificate. ... The massage establishment may provide massage services only between the hours of seven a.m. and ten p.m. ... Any massage permit issued under this chapter is subject to suspension or revocation by the permit administrator for violation of any provision of this chapter, violations of city, state or federal law, or for any grounds that would warrant the denial of the issuance of the permit(s) in the first instance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).

Full Breakdown

38, adopted by Ordinance 2473 NCS in 2013, regulates who may perform massage in the city. 050. 060. 100. A massage permit runs for up to two years and expires every June 30th, with renewal applications due at least thirty days before expiration and a council-set renewal fee. 130. Owners and operators answer for their employees' and contractors' violations, and the Sonoma County health officer and city officials may inspect any establishment during business hours. A permit can be suspended or revoked for violating the chapter or for any ground that would have justified denying it, with appeal to a city-appointed administrative hearing officer.

Violations & Fines

Operating or working at a massage establishment without a valid CAMTC certificate or city massage permit is unlawful under Petaluma Municipal Code Section 8.38.050. The chapter treats every violation, including each day a violation continues, as a separate public nuisance enforceable under Chapters 1.10 through 1.16, and the permit administrator can suspend or revoke a permit under Section 8.38.170 for any violation or any ground that would have justified denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to give massages in Petaluma if I already have a CAMTC certificate?

No. Petaluma Municipal Code Section 8.38.050 lets a massage professional practice with either a valid CAMTC certificate from the California Massage Therapy Council or a city-issued massage permit. Only professionals without CAMTC certification need to apply for the city permit through the police department's permit administrator.

What hours can a massage establishment operate in Petaluma?

Section 8.38.130(B) limits massage services at certified and permitted establishments to between seven a.m. and ten p.m. Providing massage services outside those hours violates the chapter regardless of the professional's certification status.

What disqualifies someone from getting a Petaluma massage permit?

Under Sections 8.38.060 and 8.38.100, convictions or no-contest pleas for offenses such as pandering, prostitution-related crimes, controlled-substance felonies, sex-offender registration, or a prior revoked massage license or permit will get an application denied, as will providing false information on the application.

Can the city take away my massage permit after it's issued?

Yes. Section 8.38.170 lets the permit administrator suspend or revoke a massage permit for violating any part of Chapter 8.38, violating other city, state, or federal law, or for any grounds that would have justified denying the permit in the first place. Appeals go to an administrative hearing officer under Section 8.38.180.

Sources & Official References

[1]Petaluma Municipal Code

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